New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-24
IRELAND IESIIFIES.
HIS KNOWLEDGE OF TEXAN OUTRAGEs

CRoss-ExAMINED BY SENATOR sPooNER-IIIs IN
FORMATION GENERAL IN CHARACTER
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-William Cause and Robert
Wright white Democratic clerks OF election at Flo
we'll, MS polling place last November, were examined
by the Texas investigating committee to-day. They
described the shooting OF Devices Bolton.
j. A. Vernon white, justice OF the peace, elected
on both tickets, was sworn He held inquest upon
the body OF Devices Bolton He declared that the
was not masked or disguised in any way when
the inquest held. twas currently reported that
LOckett and Glider two Republicans, who have since
lett the county tor parts unknown. had gone 70
Fleweyns store the day OF the election ana aoViseu
the negroes TO arm themselves and shoot any one rho
ATTEMPTED to interfere with the ballot box The ind
ings OF the jury at the inquest over Bottoms body
declaring that Bolton came to his death at the hands
OF Polk Hill that the eight negroes arrested were
accessorc, to the murder and that II was committed
under advice from Ed Lockett white) were put IN
evidence. witnes, had unsuccessiully attempted to
find out who raided the ballot boxes There was
no reward offered tor the perpetrators go
Benjamin Y. Aubrey. white farmer. and presiding
judge o, the Grabs polling place. testified that he ma
attempted prevent the capturing OF the ballet box
but pistol placed against his face and he gave
the box up He suspected Lockett aud Glider OF
raiding the box, but on examination by Senator
Teller he said the only tor his suspicious was
that they officiating round he polls tr, ing to
influence the vote Did not know that any attempt
had been made to discover the raiders" OF the
ballot box.
Ex-Governor John Ireland of Texas. the next wit
ness testified that there was large negro element IN
reconstruction laws there bad been mote or less dis
turbance in the county and the county enues had
been wasted and stolen until the last two or three
years. The methods resorted 10 bv those In authoi
finally became revolving to the better portion OF the
Republican party that Peoples party was formed
He know through tho newspapers and current rum r
OF the raiding of two ballot boxes, the Kill
ing of Bolton and the lynchng OF the three negroes
but knew nothing personally OF specific local acts OF
violence. He had never been asked to protect the
memorialists he negroes OF Texas, he said were OF
a don O. coniding nature and perfectly quiet when
lett to themselves. They easily excited, how
ever, when haraneued by those whom they looked
upon as their leaders. 1t unsafe Tor negrn la
the negro districts to openly espouse or vote the Dem
ocratc ticket. The negroes were not inerfered with
by the Democrats and were allowed to vote as they
please and do as the, please so long "a thew let
soc ETY. alone.
The purpose OF the white leaders OF the negroes
tlnued Mr. Ireland generally for the purpose OF
creating political following and PLAYING the role OF
political martyrs TO procure Office or recognition
They told the negroes Clevelands Adm nistration
was responsible the earthquakes, the dronth and
the fact that cotton brought but cents per pound.
TIE witness crossexamiued by Senator SDoonrr
and said that he spoke in general way about the
negroes OF Texas and that he had Leen in Washington
County only twenty tour hours in the last ten years
He only knew of the county revenues being wasted as
matter OF notoiitty and could only instance one de
falcation during the twenty yeas II Republican
control.
The committee adjourned until tomorrow.